Shimanami Kaido

Shimanami Kaido is the nickname
of Nishiseto Expressway.
It is one of the expressways connecting Honshu Island and Shikoku
Island.
The entrance point of Honshu is Onomichi city, and the one of Shikoku
is Imabari city. The length is 59.4 km.

This area has many islands in Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai).
This expressway run through the islands like steppingstones.
The island are the followings. (From Onomichi side)

Mukaishima, In'noshima, Ikuchijima, Oomishima, Hakatajima, Ooshima

The first three islands are in Hiroshima Prefecture, and the last three
islands are in Ehime Prefecture.

Of course, when we run on this route by car, we can enjoy the views of
the sea and islands in Seto Naikai.
And one or two exits are set up on each island, the we can tour around
the islands.

There are seven large bridges across the sea on the route, and six of
them have the way for pedestrians and bicycles. (The bridge between
Onomichi and Mukaishima island doesn't have it.)
So this route is popular for cyclists.

The popular sightseeing spots on these islands are the followings.

In'noshima
Suigun Castle /1/ : The re-created castle of sea
troops
(Suigun) in the 14-16th centuries.
Murakami family was active as sea troop in this area in Seto Naikai in
the period.
The castle for Suigun was only here in Japan.
Inside of the castle is the museum about sea troop.

Kosanji
temple /2/ : The gorgeous temple
of Shin Buddhism founded
in 1936, in Ikuchijima.
A successful businessman became a priest for his dead mother, and
founded this temple.
All buildings in the temple grounds are modeled after the famous
historic structures in Japan.
Koyomon gate looks like Yomeimon in Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
So this temple is called "Westeen Nikko".
Main temple looks like Byodo-in
in Uji city.
Five-story pagoda looks like Murouji
in Nara Prefecture's one.
And the museum in this temple has quality antique arts.

Hirayama Ikuo
Museum of Art /3/ : The museum of art for Ikuo
Hirayama (1930-2009), an excellent Japanese-style painter. It is near
Kosanji.
He was born in this island, and was one of the atomic-bomb survivors in
Hiroshima.
He had often visit Silk Road, and created many works about it and
Buddhism.
Many works of his are exhibited.